XXXX
The next couple of weeks passed rather quickly for Louise's taste. Most of her time was taken by Aeron's combat lessons, and though she never participated in her mother training regiments she could honestly say that Aeron was as brutal as her mother. He would dislocate arms, break fingers, shattered kneecaps or worse whenever an opportunity presented itself. It became so bad that Zanven had to stay close so he could restrain the assassin from going 'overboard'. Then again what did she expect when she decided that a sadistic bastard like Aeron trains her...fortunately he increased his torture gradually so she had time to adapt somewhat before she actually gave into temptation and gave up on the whole idea.
In the end Aeron had to give her a set of enchanted leather armor to replace her usual academy outfits. In his words it was not so much the problem of indecency (he didn't have one moral bone in his body) as it didn't protect the individual from cuts, bruises, cold or fire. The leather armor was of a simple design, black in color, extra padding on the important parts like the joints, and with a large number of pockets for small items she learned to use, like lock-picks. Though she had to admit she missed the feeling of freedom her uniform gave her, even if the short skirts were the perverted headmasters idea all along...
Though even with the added protection she still ended up bruised and beaten more often than not...
At least after the torture the necromancer called combat training she could indulge herself in some human delights. Like the glorious baths Mott's former residence possessed, plus there was also Aerons wonderful cooking and interesting music. It surprised her that the wizard was a capable musician in his own, though unlike the bard didn't add magic to his music. The only problem she had with him is that some of the songs he played were rather morbid...
On a more positive note, her new lands were progressing nicely. The mines that the zombies created produced a lot of iron ore. That iron was then used by Aerons clockworkers to forge all sort of things. From cheep tools for peasants to masterwork weapons that will one day be used by her undead army. More than a few of the well forged items were utilized in her enchanting attempts, nothing spectacular a simple enchantment here or there. Those weapons though not very powerful still sold nicely, Halkeginian merchants were more than happy to buy the items considering how rare magic weapons were. What noble didn't want a nice magical sword able to electrocute anyone it hit?
Thanks to the money gained through selling off Mott's things, plundering his savings and selling items created through practice she had more than enough wealth to start many large scale projects on her lands.
Bridges and roads were constructed or repaired making travel faster and easier, the peasants were also allowed to buy parcels of land that were previously off limits to them. Those changes, including the lowering of tax and payed public construction work made sure that peasants have more money. That also brought more merchants in who wanted to exploit such favorable conditions. Volkarion Arsetis was especially notorious in this case, the djinni bought practically all of the foodstuff that the commoners wanted to sell.
The peasants on the other hand were divided in their opinions. They welcomed all the public constructions but were less than happy with Aeron's compulsory school for their children, calling it a waste of time for peasants, that they could better use their time working on the fields.
She herself didn't see why the necromancer bothered with teaching the commoners if they were so against it but he was adamant about the idea, telling her how it will be very important in the future.
Speaking about the corpselover, thanks to Aerons corpse gathering network her army soon reached 12.000 'soldiers', most of them being ghouls. The wraiths were less numberous since only living could be transformed into them, but Aeron sacrificed any orcs, bandits and criminals that he found so their numbers were also on the rise.
Though she wasn't privy to all information.
The necromancer wisely didn't explain, for now that is, how the incorporeal undead will be used mostly in case of a war as night strike teams. Infiltrating sleeping villages and turning the peasants into undead, weakening enemy economy and bolstering her ranks by eliminating the weakest links. The nobles can boast all they want, but when food becomes scarce and all commoners either switch sides or flee they will come to understand how much they depend on the simple farmer.
XXXX
T.A.M – classroom
The students sat in their seats listening to the teacher drone on about magic, repeating things they learned the last time they had his subject. Professor Kaita was anything but popular with anybody because of his attitude. Sporting long, jet black hair, and a pitch black cape, his every move gave an unfriendly, uncomfortable feel. Although he was quite young, his unfriendly manner and cold look earned him ill repute from the students.
"Lets start the class. As everyone knows, my runic name is 'gust'. Kaita the Gust." He was enveloped with shocked stares, and satisfied by that, he continued. "Do you know what the most powerful element is, Zerbst?"
"Isn't that the 'Void' element?" answered the girl.
"I'm not asking for something of the legends. I want something realistic."
Kirche then confidently answered, "Then it has to be the fire element, Professor Kaita," along with her irresistible smile.
"Oh? Why do you think that?"
"Heat and passion can burn anything and everything, isn't that so?"
"I'm afraid that is not so." Kaita said as he pulled out his wand from his waist. "Lets give that a try. Attack me with your best fire elemental attack."
Kirche stood still in surprise. What is this teacher doing?
"What is it? I recall that you work best with fire elemental spells, am I right?" Kaita challenged.
"It won't be a simple scald" Kirche winked.
"No problem. Give me your best shot. Don't tell me the flaming red hair of the Zerbst family is there just for looks?"
Kirche's usual brisk smile disappeared. She retrieved her wand from her cleavage, her fiery, crimson long hair stood on their ends and crackled as if flames were erupting from them. She waved her wand, and from her extended right hand appeared a small fireball. As Kirche chanted her spell, the fireball expanded, resulting in a huge flaming sphere of a meter in diameter. The students ducked under their desks in panic. Her wrist turned and spiraled towards her chest, and released the fireball.
Kaita made no attempt to dodge the giant sphere of fire heading towards him. He raised his wand, and made sweeping waves as if swinging a sword. A raging gale suddenly began, and instantly scattered the huge fireball. It even knocked down Kirche, who was standing on the far other side of the room. "Everyone, I now tell you why the wind element is the strongest. It is quite easy. Wind can sweep up everything. Fire, water, and dirt alike cannot find footing when faced against strong enough winds." Kaita briskly announced. "Unfortunately, reality does not let me experiment this, but even Void would probably not stand. That is the wind element."
Kirche stood, displeased, and locked her arms. Kaita paid her no attention, and continued. "The unseen wind shall be the shield that protects everyone, and if needed, the lance that scatters enemies. And one more reason that wind is the most powerful is..." He raised his wand,
What rubbish mused the clone as she took notes. She could see that even such a weak fireball managed to singe one of his sleeves a little, if he tried to pull that trick on a experienced mage like Colbert he would have found himself in deep trouble. All that oxygen would certainly make as good fuel for a decent fireball. Then there is the Sun...
Kaita readied his wand to began to teach the brats magic when someone knocked on the door at that very moment. The door to the classroom opened, and a nervous Colbert entered. He was dressed strangely, a huge, golden wig over his head. On close examination, his suit showed the most intricate borders and decorations. Why is he dressed like that? Were everybody's thoughts.
"Professor Colbert?" Kaita raised a brow at the other man's appearance.
"Ahhh! I'm sorry, please excuse the intrusion, Professor Kaita...are you alright?" commented Colbert after noticing the professors singed robe and slightly reddish skin around the wrist.
"Yes, yes I am it was just a demonstration. Now what do you want Colbert class is in session" Kaita tersely replied, staring at Colbert as if the firemage somehow insulted him with his very presence.
"Today's classes are henceforth canceled." Colbert sternly announced, making the students cheers emanate from the classroom all the way down to the academy gardens. To stop them, Colbert waved with both arms, and continued. "I have something to tell everyone." Colbert exaggeratedly tilted his head back, causing his wig to slide off to the ground. The tense mood suddenly collapsed, as laughter enveloped the classroom.
Tabitha, who sat in front, pointed at his balded head and suddenly said, "Shiny."
The laughter started anew and grew even more intense. Kirche laughed while holding onto Tabitha's shoulder, "You can really talk when you speak up once in a while!"
Colbert blushed, and loudly yelled. "SILENCE! Only commoners laugh out loud! Nobles only covertly snicker with their heads down even if they find something funny! Otherwise, the royal court will question our school's educational results!" The classroom finally quieted to those words.
"All right. Everyone, today would be the most important day for Tristain Magical Academy. This is our great Founder Brimir's birthday, a very celebratory day." Colbert's face straightened, and he placed his arms behind his back.
"It is highly probable that His Majesty's daughter, the beautiful flower that we Tristainians can proudly boast to the rest of Halkeginia, princess Henrietta, will, to our great fortune, pass by the Academy on her way back from visiting Germania."
Whispers and chatter filled the room.
"Therefore, we must not allow any slack. As this is very sudden news, we have begun preparations to receive her to the best of our abilities. Due to this, today's classes are hereby cancelled. All students, please put on your formal wear, and assemble at the main entrance." The students anxiously nodded in unison. Colbert nodded in return, and loudly announced, "This is an excellent opportunity to let Her Majesty the princess know that everyone has matured as model nobles. Everyone must prepare to their best to let Her Majesty witness this fact! Dismissed!"
XXXX
Tristain – no GPS signal
Four golden-helmeted stallions led a carriage quietly on the road to the Magic Academy. The carriage was exquisitely adorned with gold, silver, and platinum sculptures. Those sculptures are the Royal Seals. On one of those, a unicorn crossed with a crystal staff signaled that this carriage belongs to Her Majesty the princess.
One can find, upon closer examination, that the stallions drawing the carriage were not normal horses. They were unicorns like the one on the Royal Seal. Unicorns, which, by legend, would only allow the purest girls to ride them, were the best for leading the princess's carriage.
The carriage's windows had ivy borders and coverings, as if disallowing the outside from looking in. Behind the princess's carriage is Cardinal Mazarin, who has held all Tristain political authority with an iron grip since His Majesty passed away. His carriage's splendor does not lose to Her Majesty the Queen's. In fact, his was even more embellished. The difference of these two carriages on the road clearly shows who currently holds the top authority in Tristain.
Around the two carriages was the Imperial Guard, a division of mage guards. Composed of the most prominent noble families, the Magic Imperial Guard is the pride of all nobles in the country. Every noble male dreams of wearing the black cape of the Magic Imperial Guard, and every noble female dreams of being their brides. This Imperial Guard is Tristain's symbol of prosperity.
The road is paved with flowers as commoners cheered from the roadside. Every time the carriages passed them, one can hear "Long live Tristain! Long live princess Henrietta!" and sometimes even "Long live Cardinal Mazarin!" though that pales in comparison to the princess. He is not well-regarded as he is rumored to be of commoner blood. Some say it's jealousy to his position. As the carriage's curtains opened, as the crowds see the young princess, the cheers get ever more passionate. She also returned a genual smile to the people.
XXXX
T.A.M
As the princess went through the Academy gates, rows of students raised their staffs in unison, silent and serious. After the main gates were the doors to the central tower. Osman stood at attention there to receive the princess. As the carriages stopped, servants rushed to lay down red carpet to its door. Guards tensely announced her arrival.
"Princess of the Kingdom of Tristain, princess Henrietta has arrived."
The first out the door, however, was Cardinal Mazarin.
The students grunted, but Mazarin paid no attention, standing at the side of the carriage, holding the princess's hand as she alighted. The students finally applauded. A youthful, flowery smile emerged from the princess's face as she elegantly waved.
"That's the princess of Tristain? Heh... I'm better looking than that." Kirche mumbled.
XXXX
T.A.M
LouiseB took the watch glass containing saltpeter and carefully started to add it into the mixture of diamond dust and dragon blood inside the mortar. A soft sizzling noise could be heard as the saltpeter dissolved in the mixture and released purple fumes into the air. LouiseB wrinkled her nose from the foul stench that her concoction released...she will need to make some magic wards against such things in the future.
The clone turned around from her desk and walked towards the large window. She opened it wide so some fresh air can come inside and the fumes could go out, for now it will have to do. She then went back to the table and took the small pentagram brooch from her uniform. The item was of no real value, but it was perfect for her experiment. She dipped a brand new quill in the foul smelling mixture and started to write on the other side of the brooch.
The liquid easily took hold on the smooth surface as the arcane runes were inscribed.
That done she discarded the quill and took a scroll of Mage Armor from the first drawer, but before she could add the spell to her brooch someone knocked on her door. The knocks were very orderly, it started with two long knocks, and then three short ones.
The clones eye twitched in annoyance at the interruption, whoever it was sure found the right time to come knocking on her door. LouiseB placed the scroll back inside the table and went to see who would disturb her at this hour...and if it was Kirche make the red haired pain in the rear eat a explosion.
LouiseB opened the door and spotted the person who disturbed her...fortunately it was not the Zerbst hussie.
Standing there was a girl, covered entirely in a black veil. She looked around, and then walked in, closing the door behind herself.
"...you are?" A shocked LouiseB barely managed to voice.
XXXX
HQ
Louise knew instantly of her clones discussion with the princess. To think that her friends was suffering like that!
It was unforgivable that Henrietta would be forced into an arranged marriage with that filth of a Germanian emperor, the man actually imprisoned and starved to death all his relatives for Brimirs sake!
"It seams Aeron will have to speed things up a bit, I will need that army sooner rather than later" mused the original pink haired girl as she closed the book she was reading...a book that belong to the maid by all accounts. Aeron found it mixed up with his arcane books, normally she would have never thought that he read erotic novels but apparently he is bored enough to do even that. In his own words, he read both better and worse pieces of literature but if she wanted to judge them she should read the book herself and form her own opinion. And she did exactly that...at first she was only reading it when nobody was looking, it would have been embarrassing to be seen reading it. But that feeling slowly evaporated and now she could read it freely and even discus the plot with others. At least when she had some time to relax that is, perhaps she should bring Cattleya that harem summoning figurine when she goes with Zanven to cure her illness...
Louise shook her head Don't think about it!
With a few shakes of her head the memories were blocked from her mind and she mentally cursed how her thought were more often than not looking like Kirche's daily life.
In any case her priority now is to cure her sister and in the mean time her clone will go to Albion to deal with the mission Henrietta entrusted her with.
XXXX
T.A.M – front gates
LouiseB was waiting in front of the academy wrapped in a large black cloak. The morning air was fresh and its was better to prevent getting sick on an important mission than deal with the consequences later. The cloak also concealed her black leather armor and hood, but unlike Aeron's normal high quality armor, this set was enchanted to increase her resistance to magic and reflexes. At the same time her black leather high boots enchanted her agility, speed and constitution. She also carried a large number of rings with effects like poison immunity, mind shielding and regeneration...most of which she plunder from the bastards bag.
Thanks to the necromancer she learned quickly that a unprepared mage was a dead mage. Aeron himself was positively bursting with contingency spells, protective items and much more. He showed her more than once how fast one could be killed before she or her original could blink.
Louise didn't have to wait long before she spotted and heard a griffin flying overhead, probably scouting the area. The beast soon landed in front of her, its rider probably thinking of surprising her. She remembered the man easily enough, it was her fiance. Though her original was once infatuated with him that feeling dwindled with the years she didn't see or hear anything from him...and with Aeron's appearance she was more focused on learning magic than marriage or such.
In any case her engagement to him was arranged by her parents and not of her own choice. If they were to be a couple he will have to rekindle the flames from scratch. She grimaced at the thoughts going through her head. It was just like the corpse lover said, she was sold by her own parents, a resource to be invested more than a person with her own free will. He may be good looking, but that does not change the fact he was twice her age and she hardly knew him at all. Aeron is also good looking but his horrible personality overshadows that point completely. Out of curiosity she decided to see what her fiance thought about her "Probe thoughts."
Then she saw his memories and thoughts...
Louise had to suppress her anger when she found out he was after her because of his theory she's a void mage. He had his doubts since void familiars were humanoids, and she got a snake, but the runes matched so he didn't give up hope to seduce a void mage and use her as a brood mare. Thankfully the time spend with Aeron has taught her some self control and knowledge in deception, and she will do just that. She will ensnare him, and when he is at his most vulnerable he will fall. Until then she will act the part. To quote the familiar nuisance: life is a carnival, don't forget to bring a mask or two.
The noble was more than pleased to see that his target was alone. With only two of them his job was much easier to accomplish. Wardes extended a hand to Louise "Come over, my Louise."
The clone lowered its head in hesitation and bashfulness, just like a girl who is in love should.
The plant, who was still hesitating, was suddenly carried up the griffin by Wardes.
With one hand on the reins and his wand in the other, Wardes shouted "Well, onwards!"
It would take two days to reach the port City La Rochelle by horse from Tristain. The port city is situated on a deep and narrow gorge and because of this, it has a small population of three hundred. As La Rochelle is the gateway to Albion, the number of travelers is ten times more than the local population.
Boulders could be seen on both sides of the narrow mountain pathway. People had carved holes in the boulders, turning them into taverns and shops. Although the buildings look ordinary, upon closer inspection one can realize that all of them are carved out of a single rock, a feat done by Square ranked earth mages.
Since departing from the magical academy, Warde's griffin had been endlessly moving towards their destination. The creature was well trained, she would give him that, its endurance was certainly not lacking.
Louise had to admit her fiancé was quit devious, too bad he tends to underestimate others, especially if they are not nobles or mages. Overconfidence...another thing Aeron did his best to stomp down. Though he made it clear that she shouldn't confuse pride with overconfidence. One needs pride to accomplish anything, one should take pride in ones skill and not shy away from testing them to their limits. For if you believe that your skills and not good enough then you venture into any task with a defeatist attitude ...and chances are if you believe that you will fail...you will most likely make it so.
Pride pushes a person to be true to his or her word, such a man or woman will single mindedly pursue whatever their pride demands, not to prove the world something but to feel good about their own accomplishments. Its a mindset of the perfectionist...anything but complete mastery was unacceptable. But unlike overconfidence that leads to hubris a person whose pride is tempered by wisdom will acknowledge that there is always someone better and that there will be others that will surpass them in turn...and it will drive the perfectionist to exert ever more effort into feeding his pride, honing his or her skill until they surpass whoever was still in front of them. A rival isn't a insolent fool to them, but the possibility to learn something new and a new milestone that pushes him or her ever forward.
That's the big difference between Aeron and Wardes, Aeron is paranoid because he knows that he can be killed by a commoner if he isn't careful. Wardes on the other hand thinks he can outsmart everybody no matter if they are commoners or elves.
She suddenly had a devious idea "Wardes, can we please take a rest? I can't take any more flying today."
The man thought about the request carefully, he really didn't have anything against it, and it was already dark. The noble nodded and landed near the woods where he would pick some firewood. As he was occupied Louise used her time equally productively with a simple spell "Sending". Now she only needs Aeron to receive the message and do his part.
xxxx
HQ – lab
Aeron grinned at the shaadee he summoned "Greetings Zarken, hows unlife been treating you?"
The undead had the appearance of a rotting humanoid with long clawed hands garbed into tethered remains that barely could be called clothing "What is thy biding my Lord?"
"Ahhh yes I have forgotten how boring you were when alive, seems nothing changed with your demise" said the necromancer, but seeing how Zarken would not grace him with any interesting responses he decided to get down to business "You see I found a rare talent that I wish to recruit. So I want you to join a certain sorceress as a general and help her create and lead an army of undead. You don't have to worry about corpses, I already found agents who will send them here, or rather in the mines that are being expanded in the northern mountain range. We don't really need too many skeletons or zombies, concentrate more on ghouls and wraiths. I will send a nighthaunt as a general to a secondary army so don't be surprised if you detect unfamiliar undead forces moving around."
"Wont the local clergy be suspicious if we suddenly start emptying graveyards?" it asked in its whispery voice.
"No, not really they have no connection to any god as far as I could tell, and most don't really care what happens outside their churches and donation boxes. If any start to snoop around we will bribe or dispose of them" he said nonchalantly "now get going, you will fin-" the wizard stopped mid-sentence and focused on something else instead of his servant.
"My lord?" inquired the undead.
Aeron stopped him with a raised hand.
Zarken complied and watched as the necromancers expression changed from bored to amused.
After a minute the wizard focused back on the waiting monster "My apologies for keeping you waiting Zarken, I received a interesting message just now. But back on the topic. You will find the mines easy, its the ones with the zombies" said the assassin with a chuckle.
"Yes my lord" responded the shaadee before fading from sight.
Now lets do something fun! thought the necromancer as he disappeared in the closest shadow.
XXXX
Tristain - no GPS signal
They were siting beside a small camp fire when a noise alerted Wardes that someone was approaching. He quickly pulled out his rapier wand "Hold who goes there!" he shouted.
"My apologies, I'm only a tired traveler. I saw your fire from the road and hoped to find some shelter, it would be bad if some wolf's devoured me...just think about the poor animals, they would have indigestion for a week" the soft voice spoke from the darkness. Soon a silver haired man in minstrel clothing was revealed by the flames, he carried an instrument very similar to a violin strapped to his back only bigger "Is is possible to share your fire and company until dawn?"
Wardes wanted to refuse the stranger but Louise wanted to hear some stories of his travels since she has so little opportunity to leave the academy. Willing to act the noble and understanding fiance for now he agreed to the strangers request.
"Ah I can certainly tell a good story but my real skills are in my music, if you don't have anything against it I would very much like to sing a song."
"Ohh that's wonderful!" Louise proclaimed happily much to Wardes irritation the way his opinion was brushed aside by the child. He couldn't even ask for the strangers name since they would be required to return the same gesture, and its better for now to stay anonymous. I would not want reconquista to find us, now would I. He thought with a mental smirk.
The stranger seated himself on the ground and took the violin like instrument in his hands, similar how some commoners carried muskets. He then played a song called Sweet Dreams (are made of this), and Wardes wasn't amused by it.
"Do you know any other songs? Some more well known ones like the Spring in Versailles or a Romalian chanson?" Wardes asked irritably not liking what he was listening to.
Aeron felt insulted to be cut of during a song, a very good song "My apologies my lord but those songs are known by everybody, I simply wanted to present some of the less known masterworks to you."
Wardes wanted to insist on a more traditional song but again Louise made his wishes void by wanting to hear an original one...he began to wonder if marriage feels this way...then again if and when they are married she will be trained like the bitch she is, she will learn not to bother her master.
"Well since the young lady here wants to hear an original song, how about this one then..." said the stranger as he played the rock version of the song Spellbound by Nox Arcana.
XXXX
Tristain, City of La Rochelle
Wardes couldn't keep the twitch from his right eye, the bloody minstrel kept him and Louise awake the whole night before he left with the dawn. The pink pest maybe didn't care, but his skills suffered under fatigue, it would be too ironic if she got hurt because he was not at his best. But luckily their first stop was near.
In front of them, sandwiched between two cliffs, was the port city La Rochelle, dazzling with lights.
Tired from riding all day, they had decided to rest at the fanciest hotel in the city of La Rochelle, the Goddess's Temple. It was a very fancy place even for a noble. The dining tables and floor were both made from the same marble and the floor was so clean that one could see their own face on it.
Wardes and Louise stayed in the best room in the hotel. They wondered who designed the room. There was an enormous four-poster bed with delicate lace hanging from the top. Warde's sat down at the table, opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a cup. He chugged it down and said, "Why don't you sit down and have a cup as well, Louise?"
Louise sat down as well. He poured one for Louise and refilled his own. He then raised his cup and said, "Cheers!" Louise however held hers in her hands and bowed down her head.
Warde's asked, "Did you keep the princess's letter safe?"
Louise nodded and said, "The letter is still safe. Are you worried that we might not be able to get the other letter from the prince of Albion?"
"Yes, I am very worried" he answered.
Louise arched her eyebrows and said, "Don't worry; it will be fine because I'll always be with you" She almost gagged how that sounded.
"That's right; if you're here there will definitely be no problems. It was always that way."
Louise nodded in reply.
"In that case, let's go to bed, you are already tired right?"
Suddenly, Warde came close to Louise, wanting to kiss her.
Instantly, Louise's body stiffened. Then she pushed Warde's away.
"Louise?"
"I'm sorry... But, things like...that..."
Louise pridefully stared at Warde's. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"I am not in a hurry, remember I will always be there to protect you."
Louise lowered her head again. She had to suppress her laughter, it seams even a con-artist can be deceived when he thinks his prey is gullible.
She remembered on thing Aeron quoted during training.
Innocence invites protection, yet we might be smarter to protect ourselves against it...
Because tomorrow they head to Albion and betrayal.
XXXX
Halkegenian airspace – radar malfunction
Looking down the ship, she could see floating clouds. The ship sailed right above them.
"Albion in sight!" the lookout bellowed.
All there was were clouds. Ground was nowhere to be seen.
From between the clouds she could see dark land. It continued to expand under them. Mountains carved the landscape, and rivers flowed down them.
The lookout yelled again, "Ship approaching starboard side!"
A ship was, as he said, approaching, and it was many measures larger than the one they're on. Cannons jutted out of holes on its port-side.
Louise frowned.
"Not good. A rebel... or is that a noble vessel?" Behind deck, Warde's and the captain looked at where the lookout was pointing.
Black paint signaled that the ship was made for war. Twenty or so cannons aimed at them.
"Albion nobility? Tell us if they ship cargo like we do."
The lookout hoisted the signal flags as the captain told. The black ship did not respond.
The co-captain entered running, his face pale, and reported to the captain, "That ship doesn't have any nationality flags!"
"Then... are they pirates?"
"Can't be wrong! I heard they got really active after the rebellion began..."
"Run! Full speed!" The captain wanted to run from them as quickly as possible, but they were too late. The black ship began to sail parallel to them, and fired a shot directly ahead of them.
BANG! The cannonball disappeared into the clouds. The black ship's mast then hoisted a four-color signal.
"They're ordering us to stop, captain."
The captain winced in his decision. It's not like his ship was completely unarmed, but all they had were three movable cannons on deck, which were no more useful than decorations when up against a full broadside of over twenty pointed at them. The captain looked at Wardes for help.
"All my magic's used on the ship. We can only do what they say" Wardes answered calmly.
The captain mouthed, "There goes my fortune," and gave the order.
"Wrap sails. Stop the ship."
"We are pirates! Do not resist!" a man aboard the black ship yelled with a horn.
On the black ship's port, men lined up with bows and rifles. They aimed and shot hooked lines, grabbing onto their ship's starboard. More strong men, about ten of them wielding axes and curved sabers, slid over the ropes and onto the ship.
Warde's' griffin, which was sitting on front of the deck, was frightened of the pirates and growled. Its head was then covered with blue-white smoke, and it fell onto the deck, fast asleep.
"A sleeping spell... so they do have mages."
At an order, the pirates landed on their ship. One of them was dressed quite exquisitely. He wore a shirt that looked like it used to be white, but was dirtied black from sweat and lubricant. One could see his strong and well-tanned chest muscles in the shirt's openings. A patch covered his left eye. This man seemed to be the pirates' leader.
"Where's the captain?" He commanded in a rough tone, looking around him.
"Me." The captain, shaking but still trying to keep composure, raised his hand.
The leader walked to him in large steps, took out his saber and rapped it at the captain's face. "What's the ship's name and what does it carry?"
"Tristainia's Marie Galante. The cargo is sulfur."
A gasp came from the pirates. The leader sniggered, picking up the captain's hat and putting it on his head.
"I'm buying everything on this ship then... the price being your lives!"
Louise wanted to congratulate him on his excellent haggling skills, but decided against it...it would be too out of character so far.
The captain shook in shame. Then, the leader noticed Louise and Wardes standing on deck.
"Oho, we have noble guests!" The leader approached Louise and raised her chin with his hand. "We have a beauty here. Would you like to be our dishwasher?"
Dishwasher? Like letting her a foreign element in the kitchen where they make all the food? The clone though, already making a mental list of what poison goes best with what dish, if they have to die at least they can die from a good seasoning.
"Alright, boys, take them all away. We can get a hell lot of ransom for this!"
XXXX
Louise and Wardes found themselves in the ships brig. Their wands taken, though their hands and feet remained unrestrained...rather foolish and overconfident of the rabble. Without their wands, mages, were harmless, that was the pirates logic, but sadly for them it didn't apply to her, and she suspected neither for Wardes, the man is too much of a snake to be caught so easily.
In the background, one could see wine barrels, cereal sacks and gunpowder casks disorderly thrown around. Heavy cannonballs were piled up in the corner of the room.
Wardes explored such cargo with great interest.
A pirate entered the prison area "What business do you have in Albion?" he asked.
"Traveling." Louise said in a decisive voice, putting her hand on the waist.
"Tristain's noble, why would you travel to Albion? Why would you be sightseeing in such place?"
"I do not have to tell you such things." She actually hated acting like her former self but acting politely would be, too suspicious.
At that time, the door opened again. This time it was a thin pirate standing before them. The pirate looked at them three with piercing eyes and asked.
"Good evening, are you the aristocrats going to Albion?"
Louise did not answer silently mumbling „Probe Thoughts."
"Oi oi, judging from your silence it's truth. Although we do not look like it, we do respect nobles, thanks to the aristocrats our business goes well."
"But, doesn't this warship belong to the rebels?" she played along, she already knew what game was at play here.
"No no, though we are employed, we are involved in the fifty-fifty relationship with both sides. We are related to both factions. So how is it? Are you nobles? If it is true, then you will be released in the closest port once we reach land."
"How dare you have anything to do with those dirty rebels? Do not disregard Albion nobles. I myself am one of the noble families. Albion is still a kingdom, as the royal family is still a legitimate government in Albion. Because I am an aristocrat who comes here on behalf of Tristain, I am, in other words, an ambassador. Therefore, I demand an ambassador's treatment from you."
The pirate laughed after seeing such scene.
"I'll go to report to the boss then."
The pirate left laughing.
The second pirate remained with the duo to keep an eye on them. That lasted for five more minutes before anything really note worthy happened.
The door opened again, it was the same thin pirate that talked to them before.
"The boss calls" he said and motioned the two to follow him.
XXXX
The aisle passed up the narrow stairs and took the three to a splendid room built on the upper part of the deck.
The room belong to the boss apparently, the captain of this crew of misfit pirates.
As the door opened, one could see a gorgeous dinner table and one pirate sitting at its end, playing with a cane that had a big crystal attached on top of it. Seemingly, he was a mage himself. The captains room was very different from what one would expect from a pirate.
He looked intensively at Louise who entered the room. The thin pirate who had brought her there poked her slightly from behind. "Hey, you, you are standing in front of the boss, so greet him properly." However, Louise just stood there glaring at the man as he smiled at her. What the hell?! This is his disguise? A cheap pirate stereotype knock off?!
"Ah, I like a strong willed woman, you are not a child at all. "
No, she only looks and acts like one thought Wardes.
"I demand the treatment of an ambassador, our business is only with Albions royalty" the pink haired clone played along with this farce.
It would require a rather lengthy verbal game of cat and mouse to end this buffoonery without showing her hand. She tried to direct the prince to ask the right questions and reach the right conclusions without the need of showing that she knew of this charade all along. It would open to many questions how she gained that knowledge if she revealed his cover just like that, questions she wasn't willing to answer and would put the mission under jeopardy because of distrust.
"I knew that Tristanian nobles were weird but not so helplessly. Oh my, my stomach hurts." Said the pirate captain as he stood up laughing.
"Oh, I am sorry. As a noble I should properly introduce myself as well."
The pirate who was laughing loudly suddenly stood up straight.
He removed his black curly hair from his head. It seemed to be a wig. He also took of the black eye patch, and also removed his fake beard. Before them now was standing a young person with blond hair.
"I am a general of the Albion Royal Air Force. Also the commander of our country fleet. Though to tell the truth this warship named "Eagle" is the only ship in our fleet. A powerless fleet. Oh dear, even people from the street could easily beat it."
The young person bowed while introducing himself.
"I am the prince of the Albion's Kingdom, Wales Tudor."
Louise's mouth opened wide while Wardes watched the prince with great interest.
Wales smiled with a charming smile and moved a chair for Louise to sit.
"Welcome to Albion, Ambassador. Now, lets talk about your message."
However, Louise was still speechless. She just stood there dumbfounded, unable to move...or at least she pretended to be.
"Why do I dress up as a pirate? To hide myself? No, the rich rebels sent a lot of support to rebellion, and it is a basic war tactic to cut enemy's supply line. Even if I have to do that in such an undignified way as to dress myself up as a dirty pirate."
Wales said laughingly.
"No, it was really impolite to treat an ambassador like that. But you have to admit you don't look much like a royal messenger yourself. And I never thought about support from other country's nobles. Yet I still should apologize."
Even after Wales' words, Louise's mouth still kept opening and closing without uttering a single sound. She had to make this look convincing.
"We brought a secret letter from Her Highness Princess Henrietta" Wardes said while gracefully bowing.
"Ohh, from Her Highness. And you are?"
"Captain of Tristain's Griffin Knights, Viscount Wardes."
After that, Wardes introduced Louise to Wales.
"And this is the ambassador sent by Her Highness from the Vallière family, Your Highness."
"Indeed! Such a splendid noble. And I only have my ten bodyguards to greet you, such a miserable reception. Then, do you still have the secret letter?"
Louise handed Wales the letter and bowed.
After looking at the letter lovingly, Wales kissed the signature. Then, the seal was carefully removed, the paper inside was taken out, and Wales began to read.
For some time he kept on reading it with serious expression.
"Is the princess marrying? That beautiful Henrietta. My beloved... cousin."
Wardes bowed silently, with an affirmative expression. Wales dropped the glance to the letter again and smiled when the last line was read.
"Understood. The princess is informing me with this that she wants you to return that letter. And more importantly, the princess also hopes that I return a letter from her. Seems like it."
Louise's face beamed with pleasure.
"However, it's not in my hands right now. It's in Newcastle. I didn't want to bring the princess' letter to this pirate ship." Wales said laughingly.
"So, even though it's troublesome, please come with me to Newcastle."
Albion, Newcastle – Wales room
The whole trip to Newcastle was uneventful as far as Louise was concerned, when they arrived they followed Wales to his room where he handed over Henrietta's letter.
"This is the letter I got from the princess. I am returning it as well."
"Thank you."
Louise received the letter while bowing deeply.
"The Eagle will take you back to Tristain tomorrow, as we won't be using it in the battle."
LouiseB looked down. She knew that 300 against 50000 is a lost battle. She could maybe win the battle for the prince, Aeron had some sick spells in his spellbook...but a prince that can't keep his crown does not deserve it, it would be better if he simply became Henrietta's property.
Louise's shoulders dropped when she bowed deeply to Wales before leaving the room.
Wardes stayed behind and bowed to Wales.
"Oh do you have some more business, Viscount?"
"There is one favor I would like to ask, Milord."
"Ask."
Wardes whispered into the ear of Wales, who smiled.
"Ah such a lovely request, it will be my pleasure."
XXXX
Newcastle - chapel
The next day, in a chapel, where the Founder Brimir's portrait hung, Crown Prince Wales was waiting for the bridegroom and the bride to appear. There were no other people around, as everybody was busy preparing for the upcoming battle. Wales also had planned, once the ceremony was over, to prepare for the battle as well. Wales was dressed in the Crown Prince's formal uniform. He wore a bright purple mantle, the symbol of the royal family, and a hat with seven colored wings, the symbol of Albion's royal family.
The door opened allowing Louise and Wardes to enter the chapel. The Viscount barged into her room yesterday with a marriage proposal planing to achieve multiple goals simultaneously, even if Louise didn't end up a void mage he would still gain her families lands once her parents and sisters were eliminated. Louise didn't need much persuasion to accept Wardes proposal, she only had to act a bit embarrassed bur reassured by his words.
Wardes, after telling Louise that it was "Time to do the wedding now", put on a bridal veil borrowed from Albion's royal family on Louise's head. The veil was nicely made, and the flowers, that were eternally fresh due to magic, made it look indescribably beautiful.
Then, Wardes replaced Louise's black mantle with a white one, or rather he wanted to but a simple illusion made her look like she was wearing it...the same spell she had in effect the whole time they were traveling. Naturally she didn't let him dress her, Aeron would have made her run laps around Tristain if she dared to depend on others for such mediocre tasks, unless every single bone in her body was broken...and probably if it was he would simply glare at her ending any comment with a „walk it off."
Wardes and Louise stood up in front of Wales, who was standing below the image of the Founder Brimir, wearing his official uniform. Wardes, who himself was wearing his usual clothes and a magical mantle, bowed his head.
"Well then, let's start the ceremony" said the prince.
"Bridegroom, Viscount Jean-Jacques Francis de Wardes. Do you take this girl as your wife, and swear to respect and love her in the name of the Founder Brimir?"
Wardes nodded solemnly and grasped the cane with his left hand, holding it out in front of his chest.
"I swear."
Wales looked at Louise and smiled encouragingly.
"Bride, the third daughter of the Duke de La Vallière, Louise Françoise le Blanc de La Vallière…"
Wales read the oath in a clear voice.
"I refuse" she said
"Bride?"Wales looked at her direction.
Wales looked doubtful at the sudden change of events.
"Bride, this is not the marriage you want?"
"Yes, that's how it is. I want to apologize to both of you, for my rudeness, it was a painful decision to make, but I do not want to marry at this point in time."
An angry red blush quickly spread on Wardes face. Wales turned to him and said in an embarrassed, doubtful and regretful voice.
"Viscount, I am terribly sorry, but the bride doesn't want for this ceremony to continue."
However, Wardes, didn't pay any attention to Wales, and took Louise's hand.
"…you are just nervous. Dear Louise. You cannot be seriously refusing my offer."
"I'm sorry, Wardes. I yearned for you. Maybe… maybe even loved you once. However, it is different now."
Then, Wardes gripped Louise's shoulder. The expression in his eyes changed. Gone was the usual kindness from his face, replaced with chilly cold of a reptile.
Wardes shouted in a feverish tone.
"The world, Louise! I will rule the world! You are necessary for that!"
"…I, I am not needed for that."
Wardes extended both his hands, drawing Louise closer.
"You are necessary for me! Your ability! Your power!"
Wales, who couldn't stand Wardes' threatening attitude towards Louise any longer, stepped in.
"Viscount…, that's enough. Behave like a gentleman…"
However, Wardes struck away Wales' extended hand.
"Shut up!"
Wales stood still, surprised by Wardes words. Wardes grabbed Louise's arm with his hand "Louise! You are necessary for me!"
Wales put a hand on Wardes' shoulder, trying to pull him away, but Wardes pushed Wales instead, who fell on the ground. Wales face turned red, and, after standing up again, he pulled out his cane.
"You, what impoliteness! It's an insult! Viscount, move your hands away from la Vallière right now! Or else my magical blade will tear you up!"
Only then Wardes' hand finally let Louise go. A kind smile spread on his lips. However, the smile was forced and obviously fake.
"Even if I ask you this way you won't do it? Louise. My Louise."
"No" the clone said.
Wardes looked up at the sky.
"And I made such great efforts, to capture your feelings during this journey…"
Wardes spread his hands widely, while throwing his head backwards.
"Well, it can't be helped. I guess I will have to give up on this goal."
"Goal?" she asked feigning ignorance.
The corners of Wardes' lips went up, forming an ill looking smile.
"That's right. There were three goals for me to achieve during this travel. Sadly, I achieved only two of them"
"Achieve? Two? What are you talking about?" Louise asked.
Wardes put out his right hand in front holding up three fingers, and bent his forefinger.
"First one was you, Louise. I had to get you. However, it seems that I won't be able to accomplish that."
"Obviously not!"
Wardes smiled, bending his middle finger.
"The second goal, Louise, is in your pocket - Henrietta's letter."
"And, the third…"
After hearing Wardes saying "Henrietta's letter" Wales understood everything and pulled out his cane and started to chant a spell.
However, Wardes had already prepared two complete spells before.
Wardes aimed his wind rapier that started shining and with the tip pierced Wales chest.
"D-damn you…'Reconquista'…"
Blood suddenly gushed out of Wales mouth.
Wardes muttered while piercing his shining rapier deeper into Wales chest.
"The third, is your damned life, Wales."
With that, Wales fell to the ground.
"Hold Person"
Wardes found himself frozen in place, unable to even blink W-what happened to me?! He could hear the other turncoats hidden in the loyalist forces assault their former comrades, and by surprise quickly decimated their unsuspecting victims.
He heard Louise giggle "How easily you were all deceived, so secure in your plans, never even expecting treachery. Horrid Wilting" he never saw what happened, but he heard screams, and then silence.
After discarding the illusion on her clothing Louise quickly approached the now unconscious Wales, if left untreated he would bleed to death in minutes, so she pulled a red vial of Cure Critical Wounds from her bag of holding and forced it down his throat. Examining the stab wound, she smirked in satisfaction when she saw only smooth skin. Leaving the now sleeping prince she looked Wardes in the eyes.
His facial expression didn't betray much, but his eyes showed confusion, frustration, anger...and fear. She could almost taste it. I think my original spends too much time with Aeron, we are starting to develop an unhealthy amount of questionable character traits.
Whats happening to me! Why cant I move, did Louise cast this spell on me? And where are the bloody reinforcements! Wards thought, looking at the smirking Louise as she caressed his chin with her hand. It infuriated him that a mere child treated him as he was beneath her.
"My, Wardes why the silent treatment? Cat got your tongue?" she laughed, enjoying herself. "But don't worry, I wont harm you. I still have some use for you, your position in the reqonquista will give you knowledge about many of their secrets and plans, and I wish to know them all" she purred still gliding her hand across his cheek.
Wardes on the other hand could not believe this was the same Louise he knew, the same naive girl that followed him on this mission. But if she believed that he would simply roll over on her command then she was still a fool, as soon as this spell ends he will teach her the meaning of pain I will not bow to a spoiled brat.
Her smile turned into a grin "My my such naughty thoughts you have my dear fiance, were the Galian whores such good teachers? Perhaps I should visit them as well, they seem to have some interesting techniques. And don't worry, your will is not your own, living or dead you will serve me."
A flash of light revealed Aeron appearing in his minstrel disguise before them.
After looking over the dehydrated corpses, amused at their dried faces of terror and agony he focused on the two "Greetings my lord, has life been treating you well" the shadovar asked doing a mock bow.
Louise smirked "Cant you tell Aeron? He is absolutely paralyzed with happiness."
Aeron laughed, and shifted back in his assassin form "Ohhh Louise, you're such a tease."
Wardes on the other hand didn't find this situation very funny, not only was Louise making fun of him, that irritating minstrel also appeared...and much to his frustration he had to admit he never suspected this betrayal. If he was able he would be gritting his teeth about being deceived. He prided himself about being an excellent spy...and still he failed to see it coming.
Being able to read Wardes thoughts she decided to give him some last minute advice "Ohhh do you feel betrayer by me? For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first my dear Wards."
Aeron was forcing himself not to embrace his young apprentice Ich liebe den Verrat.
"Wardes I would like you to meet my familiar Aeron Blackheart, he is a sociopath and a bastard but makes on hell of a cookberry pie " the clone then turned to Aeron "If you are finished enjoying yourself, do the ritual already, the rebel forces will arrive here in 20 minutes."
Aeron wiped an imaginary tear „Such a cruel master I have, not a moment of rest for her poor servant" he pointed his finger at Wards "Enslave."
LouiseB grinned as the spell took effect "Kneel."
Wardes really didn't want to obey, but against all his will he went to his knees "What is thy biding mistress..."
Louise enjoyed this very much, she pulled Henrietta's letter from her pocket "You will return to Cromwell and deliver him the letter as you were ordered" he took the letter felling confused, why was she betraying Tristain, wasn't she on the princesses side, then Louise pulled a ring with her other hand "This is a ring of sending, you can use it three times a day to send me instant messages, with that you will keep me informed about any Albion and Galian plots. To activate it you only have to formulate a message and then tap the ring three times and say Sending, as simple as that. As for the prince, tell them you mortally wounded him but he was rescued by Tristain reinforcements, the chance of his survival depending if they had a skilled healer close by. Now leave us."
"Yes mistress" Wardes answered as he stood up on his feet and using his levitating spell left the chapel through the window.
Louise then turned to Wales who was still unconscious on the ground, she grabbed him by the shoulder and recited the incantation for a spell "Teleport", leaving Aeron behind.
The necromancer turned to the corpses that were decorating the chapel, he would love to leave them for shock effect but it would raise question "Better not to reveal too much Incendiary cloud" instantly the dehydrated husks turned to ash, leaving only the metal to melt. Feeling quite pleased with the mission he began to hum 'When You're Evil'.
When the last of the armor and weapons melted into puddles Aeron satisfied with the results also teleported back to the mansion.
When the rebel forces finally entered the castle, only silence greeted them. They were told that more of their comrades would welcome them in the chapel with the royals dead at their feet, but nobody was there, only the stench of burned flesh and slabs of quickly cooling metal on the floor.
1: Shadow of the Void
2: The Shadows of War
3: All good things come to an end
4: Welcome to Moonreef!
5: The mystery of black hearts
6: Der Marionettenspieler
7: Igne Natura Renovatur Integra
8: Epilogue